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Emilio Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869. He was a leader in the Philippine Revolution and became the first President of the Philippine Republic in 1898.

A national hero, he lived to see the Philippines gain independence in 1946 and died on February 6, 1964.

Early in the morning of March 2, 2009, Thanh Hong, a Vietnamese American student at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), and his Asian American friend walked home through Isla Vista – the college town adjacent to the UCSB campus. On their way home, Thanh and his friend passed in front of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house. Four men emerged from inside the fraternity house, approached Thanh and his friend, and began yelling racial epithets at them including: “Chink,” “Chinamen,” and “Gook.”

Thanh and his friend tried to walk away, but before they could, however, one of the men -- without provocation -- punched Thanh’s friend in the face, and then attacked Thanh. The man from the fraternity house continued using racial slurs during the attack. Eventually, he stopped his attack and started laughing, providing Thanh and his friend an opportunity to escape. Thanh suffered a facial laceration requiring several stitches and his friend suffered a concussion resulting in partial memory loss.

The University of California Police Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office were called and opened an investigation into the case. The police questioned members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who all denied any involvement. The fraternity also denied that any attack had taken place, even though the sidewalk in front of their house was stained with Thanh’s fresh blood.

As a part of the Greek life at the Universityof California, at Davis,, as well as an Asian American Studies major, this incident is one that I can relate to. I think about the Vincent Chin incident, as well as the time in 2000 that I and other students of color were harassed by a group of people driving by. History has a tendency to repeat itself. and I wonder if we will repeat the same mistakes.

I had to break up a fight tonight, between a licensed medical professional and a retired military officer. As two rational, reasonable adults, educated and decorated, the situation that I had to put myself into was completely unexpected. As leaders in the Filipino community of Sacramento, it hurt and baffles me that these two men lost self-control and acted the way they did. Their actions were not fitting of individuals with their stature.

There was some physical contact between them before I jumped in. They insulted one another and made some hateful comments. Physical threats were made by each party. They rushed one another and I had to restrain one while the other was being restrained by three women who were also present.

One has indicated to me that they refuse to work with the other. I have yet to speak to the other party and learn their perspective. My ideal solution would involve their reconciliation. At this point, I feel that it would require me to broker and facilitate a meeting.

It makes me question, however, if I am even capable of aiding them in finding common ground again, and a common mission and vision. I realize right away that age is a factor, since my deference to the elderly immediately affects how I relate and interact with each of them.

Like with any conflict, our community would be hampered by this one. I feel the need to do whatever I can to rectify the situation. Right now, this seems beyond me.

I volunteered at a screening of a television program called Healthy Relationships, which was put together by My Sister's House and Crossings TV with generous support from Sutter Health. The program focused on empowering and teaching women tips on how to maintain healthy relationships and also how to escape abusive or violent relationships.

Guests watched a trailer of the program, which will air in its entirety on Crossings TV on Sunday, March 22, 2009, at 6 p.m. It reminded me of how important domestic violence prevention and education is. Having a relative that was physically beaten by their significant other, another relative that allegedly physically abused their significant other, and couple of other relatives that were emotionally or mentally abused, it is very relevant to my life and experiences.

The survivor interviewed on the program was also of Filipino descent, and hammered home that many Filipinos are facing this situation. It is tragic and completely avoidable.

In light of the publicity surrounding the Rihanna and Chris Brown incident, it bothers me that this issue is so underreported and underaddressed.

I read a compelling argument that for the first time in history, it is now within our reach to eradicate world poverty and the suffering it brings. Yet around the world, a billion people struggle to live each day on less than many of us pay for bottled water. And though the number of deaths attributable to poverty wordwide has fallen dramaticlly in the past half-century, nearly ten million children still die unnecessarily each year. We face a profound choice: If we are not to turn our backs on a fifth of the world's population, we must become a part of the solution.

Maybe this is the right time to ask oneself: What ought I be doing to help?

Plato is quoted for saying, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

People often compare and contrast their stories, finding out who went through worse and looking at whose scars are worse. More often than not, the comparisons are not valid. Each and every individual develops a unique skill set and attributes that prepare them for life, but not necessarily perfect for the challenge they end up facing. A challenge to one is not a challenge to another.

Keeping this in mind allows me to appreciate, on the most basic level, each person's story, and be a more sctive listener. I do my best to not prejudge a person before I have heard a person's perspective, and if I have an opportunity, learn about the perspectives of others as well.

On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan lands in what he would claim as the islands of King Philip, otherwise known as the Philippines.

I often remind myself to give thanks for the hard times. It is easy to give thanks for a new car, for finding the love of one's life, or for avoiding a harmful accident. In addition to giving thanks for good events, I also add three things that are painful to recall, like my pending divorce, the death of my mom, or the loss of a friendship.

It is important for me to be thankful for the good and the bad, the love and the hurt. I may not know how, but even the painful situations will open me to new experiences. Some surprisingly positive results are discovered by opening up to the idea of appreciating the hard times.

I recently greeted two new additions to the next generation of my extended family. Two of my second cousins gave birth, one about two months ago and another on Wednesday. My perspective that I have a small family is shifting, with the many young children that my cousins are having. It is a pleasant surprise to me. One day, the universe may conspire to allow me to become a father.